Cooperative breeding in the Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium

King, Tony and Cheke, Robert A. (2009) Cooperative breeding in the Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium. Malimbus, 31 (1). pp. 20-27. ISSN 0331-3689

Abstract

Cooperative breeding by the Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium is reported for the first time. Two nestlings in the Republic of Congo were fed by four fully grown birds, two of which were in adult plumage. After fledging, the two young continued to be fed by all four fully grown birds, and at least five birds were still together as a group almost three months after the young left the nest. A bird in adult female plumage accounted for 35 % of the nest visits, followed by a bird in adult male plumage (26 %). Two birds moulting to adult male plumage were less regular visitors, but their combined visits accounted for 39 % of the total. Notes on diet and plumage variation are also presented.

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